Iron ore train derails in eastern Quebec

A train operated by a subsidiary of Rio Tinto PLC derailed Thursday following a suspected landslide in eastern Quebec, spilling diesel fuel into a local river, the railroad’s operator said. The train’s sole conductor was missing.

Iron Ore Co. of Canada, which owns the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway railroad, said the train was found partially submerged in water Thursday after departing its shipping terminal in Sept-Îles, Quebec, about 530 miles northeast of Montreal. Part of the railway runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.

The train was carrying 240 iron ore hopper cars, all of which were empty, according to Claudine Gaudet, a spokeswoman with Rio Tinto. Eight cars derailed, she said. The two locomotives at front of the train also derailed, spilling diesel fuel, she said. Each locomotive can hold up to 4,000 gallons of diesel, but the amount spilled hasn’t been determined, Ms. Gaudet said.